Monday, January 26, 2015

Let's Talk History

Four years have gone by since I wrote this post. Which makes sense because I teach history on a four year cycle and this year we are once again covering the Middle Ages, the Reformation, and the Renaissance.

We got out our Kings and Queens of England Lapbook and I have begun again to read Our Island Story by H.E. Marshall. If you haven't read this book, find a copy and do so. It is a great read aloud to your children. Engaging and delightful to read, but also quite informative and interesting.

I also discovered, although now I forget from whom, probably Amy, she tells me everything I need to know. It helps to have smart, knowledgable friends, they keep me on track.

Back to discovering. . . H.E. Marshall also wrote this book, The Story of Europe. It covers the history of Europe from the fall of Rome until the Reformation. Having written, Our Island Story, which covers the history of England, its history is not included in The Story of Europe unless it plays an important role in the politics and events of Europe.

It is another very delightful read aloud. One thing I am enjoying more about this book is that she has included the dates of events in the margin. This makes it easier for reading, but also easy to look something up quickly.

In the back there is a nice chronological chart. The first column gives the century, the second column has the events in British history, the third column gives the history of the continent, and the final column gives the chapter in the book where it is covered.

Between these two books, our timeline, learning our Kings and Queens of England poem, as well as memorizing the fifteen pack of tricks in world history, we should learn something by the end of the year.

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Vino








My husband is so good to me.
And so is my daughter who took these photos.

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Eggcellent

I had intended to write all about our Christmas. And our trip to Camp Luther but now too much time has gone past so I will just sum up.


Christmas at camp.


This, I think, was one of the best, if not the best, weeks at camp. Everything was so much fun. The snow, the cold, the food, the friends, the fun, the fireplace, all of it and more made it very difficult for us to adjust to reality at home.


The first night we arrived we celebrated Christmas with our friends. Lots of eating interspersed with gift opening, conversations, giggles, and hugs. Ralph and Amy gave our family a set of egg cups, spoons, and an egg top cutter.


We love them. It makes having soft boiled eggs such a treat.



We first ate eggs this way in Germany. We've tried to replicate them at home with varying levels of success. But now, these new cups hold the egg perfectly. The cutter makes getting the top off simple, and the spoon slides easily to scoop out the scrumptious egg.


What is left after the meal is an empty shell, and a contented belly.



Eggcellent!